Jaw adjusting means for slidable side jaw wrenches



Oct. 2, 1951 J. 5. RYLAND 2,569,581

JAW ADJUSTING MEANS FOR SLIDABLE SIDE JAW WRENCHES Filed Nov. 21, 1949 Z8 1 26 1539mm INVENTR ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 2, 1951 OFFICE JAW ADJUSTING MEANS FOR SLIDABLE SIDE JAW WRENCHES Junior Steven Ryland, Santa Barbara, Calif.

Application November 21, 1949, Serial No. 128,630

- 1 Claim.

This invention relates to wrenches, and more particularly to wrenches of the sliding jaw type.

The primary object of the invention is to provide means for further tightening the jaws of a wrench on its work, beyond the negligible pressure obtained when the helical jaw adjusting gear of the wrench has been tightened by hand in the usual way, thereby insuring a firm grip with the ordinary sliding jaw wrench, on a nut or bolt or other object with which the wrench may be used, even though the nut, bolt or object may be distorted to such a degree as to offer wrench engaging surfaces which the usual sliding jaw wrench cannot properly grip.

An important object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which may be readily mounted on the usual sliding jaw wrench having a helical jaw adjusting gear, eliminating the necessity of making extensive alterations in the wrench construction to mount the device.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims, it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

Referring to the drawing Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a wrench equipped with an attachment, constructed in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a View illustrating the elements of the attachement, as separated.

Fig. 4 is a fragmental sectional view illustrating a modified form of attaching means for the dev1ce.

Fig. 5 is a fragmental sectional view of a further modified form of attaching device.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the reference character 5 indicates a wrench handle which is provided with the usual stationary jaw 6 at one end thereof, which jaw is provided with the usual guideway in which the slidable jaw l of the wrench operates.

One edge of the slidable jaw is formed with teeth 8 that extend into the opening 9 formed in the stationary jaw and in which the usual helical slidable jaw adjusting gear II] operates, the gear I0 operating on the shaft H which extends centrally through the opening 9.

As shown, the helical adjustin gear II] is formed with a recess in one end thereohwhich recess aligns with the recess I2 formed in the stationary jaw, providing a housing for the coiled spring I3 which is so constructed that it will urge the adjusting gear II] in one direction, or in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the gear, when it is being moved to close the jaws of the wrench.

The attachment comprises a plate M which is provided with an opening through which the shaft II extends, the plate being also provided with the notch I5 which is of a width to fit over one edge of the opening 9 to grip a portion of the wrench section of which the stationary jaw 6 forms a part, thereby securing the plate I4 against pivotal movement. Extending from the plate I4, is the arm I6 which is provided with a downwardly and laterally extended finger I! spaced fromv the lower side of the arm I6, providing a space, into which the lever I8 which 00- operates with the plate and arm in accomplishing the purpose of the invention, moves.

Formed at the free end of the arm I6, is the wedge-shaped lug I9, the lug I9 providing a shoulder at one end, and a curved or inclined surface 20. The lever I8 is provided with a notch 2I in the outer surface thereof, which notch accommodates the lug I9, 'when the lever I8 is moved to the position as shown by Fig. 1 of the drawing, thereby holding the lever in its set or active position.

Formed on the lower surface of the plate I4 is the wedge-shaped enlargement 22 that provides a cam surface which cooperates with the inclined bottom of the recess 23 disposed in the upper surface of the head 24 formed at one end of the lever I8. The head 24 is provided with an opening 25 that aligns with the opening of the plate I4, for the reception of the shaft I I, so that the lever I8 may pivot thereon.

It might be stated that the enlargement 22 and recess 23 are so arranged that when the lever I8 is pivoted laterally, or away from the handle of the wrench, the wedge-shaped enlargement and recess of the plate I4 and lever I8, will move to allow the helical jaw adjusting gear ID, to move outwardly or to a position towards the plate M by the action of the spring I3.

When the helical jaw adjusting gear It has been moved and tightened by hand in the usual way, and it is desired to further tighten the slidable jaw, the lever I8 is swung inwardly, or

to a position adjacent to the handle 5 of the wrench. This movement causes the inclined bottom of the recess of the lever [8 to move under the wedge shaped enlargement of the plate i i to separate the plate and lever, wedging the gear 10 against the teeth 3 of the slidable jaw, to its maximum gripping position to the end that a firm grip may be had with the wrench, on a distorted-nut: or bolt which could not begripped by the usual sliding'jaw wrench.

In the form of the invention as shown by Fig. 4 of the drawing, the plate [4 is providedwith a cut out portion which permits: it. to befitted over one edge of a wrench much imthe same manner as the plate [4 as shown by Fig. 1. In this form of the invention; a set screw is provided and extends through a-threaded open-- ing in the plate, where it is set tightly against the wrench. This structure is one whiclvmay be readily and easily positioned, and will secure theplate to the wrench. In the formxof the invention as shown byz-Fig. 5-of: the'drawing, a spring arm' is connected with-the plate-26-'- which corresponds to'the plate 14 of the showing illustrated'by Fig. 1 of the: drawing; The spring 25 is formed with-an inwardly curved-end 25 thatfits in a recess formedin-one edge 01- the lever 23 which corresponds withthe lever 18: as shown by Fig. 1.

The: spring 25 is formed with a curved end 29"that engages the main'portion of fthe'wrench to cause the plate. 26' to closelyengage the wrench, the Wrenchinthe present showing being indicated by; thereference character 30'.

From the foregoing itwill be seen that due to: the construction shown and-described, Ihavev provided an attachment for awrench whereby the' usual helical: jaw adjusting gear; may. be moved to obtain an exceptionally. fine. adjust: ment, after. the. gearv has been tightened by hand in the usual way.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimedis:

In a wrench, a handle, a stationary jaw having a gear opening formed at one end of the handle, a slidable jaw cooperating with the stationary jaw in gripping an object, teeth on the slidable jaw extending into the gear opening, a shaft extending through the gear opening, a helical adjusting gear mounted on said shaft, cooperating with the movable jaw teeth in moving the movable jaw with respect'to therstationary jaw,

a' plate having a notch fitted over one edge of the gear opening, a cam on one surface of the plate, an arm extending from the plate in parallel. relation to' the handle, said plate resting against one end of the adjusting gear, a lever having a head portion provided with an opening in'w-hichsaidshaftextends, for pivotally mounting theleverr thereon, said head portion having a cam surface cooperating with the cam surface oftlieplate in moving the plate and adjusting gear inwardly, the lever. effecting rotation of said head portion and: relative: rotation' of. the: 00- operating cam surfaces, whereby-said movable jaw is movedito-its approximate gripping: position. on an :object.

JUNIOR," STEVEN RYLAND.

REFERENCES CITED The following, references are of record in the file. of this-patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name. Date 1,309,874 Arnot- July 15, 1919 1,405,432 Peterson Feb. 7;.1922 l,4=90,903= Anderson Apr; 22, 1924' 1,503,662 Norton Aug. 5, 1924' 1,506,362 Z-3arman- Aug. 26, 1924 1,771,692 Saunders: July 29. 1930 2,232,259 Morgan Feb. 18; 1941 2,378,854- Kershaw J une. 19, v1945 2,524,376 Clark- Oct. 3, 1950 

